Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

1. Geoff Ahearn Sand & Finish Specialist John Griffiths Hardwood Flooring CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA jghardwood.com Geoff has spent 13+ years working full time at John Griffiths Hardwood Flooring in Charleston, South Carolina, which specializes in reactive stains and applications unique to their market. Geoff enjoys repurposing wood to build chairs, tables, cutting boards, and headboards. From renovating a 6' x 22' Airstream travel trailer to installing wood flooring in the home of singer- songwriter Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish fame, no job is too big or too small. The Airstream project, which included installing flooring and building a kitchen, sleeping area, and dining area, was featured in the 2018 February/ March issue of Hardwood Floors . When he’s not getting paid to work, Geoff is still working to help others, whether it be fixing a senior citizen's fence, helping a neighbor move furniture, teaching others about woodworking, or just picking up trash. His nominator noted, “He's just a pleasant, hardworking, respectful and talented person. His presence brightens our community because he genuinely cares about people.”

2. Osiel Betancourt Chief Empowerment Officer Insight Flooring Technologies DALLAS, TEXAS quoteheroapp.com Osiel is an NWFA Certified Installer who started his career in 2001 as an apprentice. He owns All Flooring Install LLC of Dallas, Texas, and co-founded Insight Flooring Technologies LLC (IFT), a technology company dedicated to the flooring industry. IFT created the QuoteHero app, which enables users to measure the square footage of rooms, estimate jobs, and close sales on the spot. The app supports Osiel’s goal of empowering the wood flooring industry through technology and promoting digital transformation. Osiel won NWFA’s 2018 Plank Tank contest in which members submitted industry-related business ideas. Three finalists pitched their ideas during the Wood Flooring Expo in Tampa, Florida, on April 11, 2018. Attendees voted through the Expo Mobile App, and the winner was announced at the end of the show on April 13. Osiel and IFT received a $15,000 package of NWFAmarketing and education products and services. Osiel recently joined NWFA's Emerging Leaders Network and also is collaborating with the NWFA and Cue Careers to help attract new talent to the industry.

3. Curtis Boyd Co-Owner All Wood Floors Custom Installation and Refinishing QUITMAN, ARKANSAS @all_wood_floors Curtis learned at a young age how to carry big machine cords, sharpen hook scrapers, and run an edger for his father’s company, All Wood Floors Custom Installation and Refinishing of Quitman, Arkansas. After graduating from high school, he worked full- time running crews, installing custom borders and inlays, sanding, and refinishing wood floors for the company, which specializes in custom hardwood flooring installation, repairs, and refinishing, while keeping current with flooring trends. In 2016, Curtis and his brother took over the family business, and he became one of the first NWFA Certified Professionals in the state of Arkansas. Since 2016, All Wood Floors has doubled its number of employees and plans to continue growing by developing young, skilled tradespeople. To that end, Curtis and the company are laying the groundwork for a program that encourages recent college graduates to consider careers in a skilled trade like wood flooring.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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